Oxycontin Side Effects

[Frank]

I have been taking the subject drug for nine months following multiple fractures resulting in class III trauma and a hosptial admission in critical condition. I am now in the midst of weaning myself off this drug.

I have developed a full feeling - when I swallow - in the area just at the bottom of the thyroid. I have no trouble swallowing, I just experience the fullness.

In response to this symptom, I have been scanned, x-rayed, endoscoped all the way to the pyloric valve, and examined fiber-optically through the sinus all the way past the vocal cords. Nothing. Nada. Nyet. Clean as a whistle. Still, the fullness I describe is worrisome, to say the least.

My GP says he is aware of what's known as an "oxycontin cough" that can appear after long-term use when the patient is weaning off the drug. I have no such cough. I just have the fullness. And a fairly high anxiety level about it, especially now that it has been forcefully demonstrated to me that I'm not immortal after all.

Can you please comment on this situation? I am most grateful for this opportunity.

Frank

[Jerry]

Frank,
I have experienced the same feeling that you have described.  It feels almost as if there is a lump in my throat, and it makes me want to swallow a lot--and drink a lot of water. I felt this after I began to decrease my dosage of oxycodone, and it didn't disappear until about 3 weeks after I hadn't taken any kind of narcotic pain killer.  So, if you're experiencing the same thing as me, than theres light at the end of your tunnel.

[Frank]

Thank you Jerry for your response. This really takes a load off my mind, sort of. I guess once you have developed a fear of something like this only its disappearance suffices to dispel the fear. I'm on 40 mg oxycontin X2 (down from 60 mg). Next week I'm reducing to 20 mg X2, then in a couple of weeks none. After that, I'll work on weaning off the percodan I've used between oxycontin reductions to ease the transition. Have you tried something like this?

Thanks again for your post.

Frank
***@****

[Barry]

I have a possible side effect that may be a little similar.  I take oxycontin (and have for at least 18 months).  I find that when I eat, the food going down my throat seems to feel like it is lodged there at first.  When I try drinking some water, I get the hiccups at first.  Another drink of water and the hiccups go away and so does the problem with swallowing.  It doesn't seem to matter whether I swallow lots of liquid before I eat solids.  I find this happens most with rice and meat and I'm convinced it is a side effect of one of my medications.

[Stephen Klaiber]

My wife takes oxycontin 40mg. twice a day.  She has multiplle myeloma and has been taking this drug for about 8 months. Can she get addicted to this drug at this amount? I am concerned.

[Lynn Randall, Bluffton SC]

My grandmother has been on Oxycontin 20mg twice a day now for
12 days.  Two days ago she had an acute mental status change.
She is normally very lucent, oriented, etc...but is now experiencing visual disturbances, slurred speech, and occasionally sever agitation.  She is the most passive person I know.  I am a nurse that has looked everywhere for any simular experiences and at this point I don't have alot of faith in her physicians since her CT Scan has been sitting for two days without even being read!!  I would appreciate any input.

Thanks you in advance.

[alicia]

I am concerned about Frank's comment that he is using Percodan in addition to the Oxycontin.  Am I mistaken or isn't Percodan also Oxycodone?  Seems he may be longer at this transition that he originally thought....any must be experiencing other side effects?

[suesue]

I have a litany of physical debilitating ailments that produce stifling pain.  I have been under my orthopod care with the combination of Celebrex 25mg, Oxcontin 60mg, bid and fluid pills.  I have managed both my medication and pain until last month - my Doctor suddenly moved out of state leaving me with a diminuished dose and life.

Have seen several so called pain managment specialist.  Each on selling me their own tonics and sideshow, all of what I have already gone thru.  Have desperately appealed to the listed physicians in my area to no avail.  Why is it that none of the pain management so called specialists have never experienced "True" pain?  How do I go about finding someone to give me my life back?  I own my own company, working on my graduate program and travel extensively throughout Europe - all of which because of my pain is at a standstill.

Please advise.

[james]

I just discovered this forum and have some questions for a doctor.  I have end-stage renal disease (polycystic kidney) and have had a transplant for 17 years. I've been on prednisone for that whole time, and it's causing major skeletal deterioration.  The kidney function is fine, but I'm in a lot of pain--bones and joints--and have been taking 12 40mg. tablets of oxycontin daily.  I know it's a lot, but I've had to keep increasing it to get any relief.  I've been on this dose for 6 months, but my pain continues to increase.  I know I am building a tolerance for the drug. Lately, I've been having trouble breathing--there seems to be fluid in my lungs--lots of gurgles,etc.  Is this from the high dose of oxycontin? Is there anything else I can do for pain relief?

[[e-mail]]

My husband has been on oxy for 2 years and really had no problems with it until about 6months ago we noticed that he was getting very forgetful and any little thing would upset him. Does anyone know if this could be from the oxy?

[Brian to 121]

Yes it is likely to be caused by the oxy.  Mood swings and forgetfulness are often signs of addiction.  If he has been taking the oxy for 2 years he is likely to be physically and psychologically addicted.

[james]

My mother, who had breast cancer that spread to the bone, was taking Oxycontin for pain.  Not only for the cancer pain, but also for several ailments unrelated to the cancer, but possibly complicated from it.  These other ailments were treatable and possibly even preventable, but rather than explore that route, her doctor and nurses just kept increasing her dosage of Oxycontin until she was taking 100mg twice a day.  She also was given Percocet for breakthrough pain when the Oxycontin didn't seem to last long enough.  As the dosage was increased, she, too, became less and less lucid.  She had also been retaining fluid due to her lack of mobility.  She was also diagnosed with a heart valve problem which resulted in periodic breathing difficulty.  I need to know two things.  I have been told that Oxycontin should not have been given to someone with a depressed respitory system and that, due the time-released nature of the drug, that it may have been building up in her system with the retention of fluid until it reached a toxic state.  Are either of these things true?  You can post a reply here or e-mail me at ***@****.  Thanks!

[james]

My correct e-mail for the above post is ***@****
Sorry and thank you.

[Brian to James]

I am sorry to hear about your mother.  It is clear however that she was in great pain.  The physicians were trying to alleviate her pain, which, since her condition was terminal, is the MOST important objective.  All narcotics depress respiration.  Balanced against leaving someone in pain, they are used DESPITE the associated risks.  Of course the physicians kept increasing her pain medication.  The body builds a tolerance to narcotics and they MUST be increased to provide the same level of relief.  This is proper medical practice.
Oxycontin does not build up in the system.  It is a 12 hour time relase.  Whoever is giving you information is giving you bad advice.  Your mother's physicians should be thanked for providing her with much needed pain relief, not condemned for doing so.

[lucy]

MY MOTHER AND FATHER ARE ADDICTED TO OXYCONTIN.  FIRST THEY WERE TAKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF HYDROCODONE AND NOW THAT THEY ARE OFF THAT THEY ARE TAKING OXYCONTIN.  80 MG 3 TIMES A DAY.

[chuck prahl]

I have been taking oxycontin for 2 years now , my dose was increased to 6- 20 mg tabs a day. I have noticed ringing in my left ear since the increase, though I have no idea if this has anything to do with it. I'm a paraplegic and I have to take  Fleets enemas more too, could the medicene in them cause the ear ringing, the reason I'm writing is it gotr worse today, and I'm scared. Thanks

[to Vicodin Gurll]

The oxycontin is not likely to be the cause of the ringing.  If that is your only symptom there is nothing to be scared about.  Consult with your physician about other causes if it doesn't go away.

[John D.]

ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT ALL YOU PEOPLE ARE WEAK, NEEDY, WHINGING, AND PROLLY ABUSED AS CHILDREN! YOU ARE ALL LOSERS, ALL PEOPLE WHO GET ADDICTED TO DRUGS ARE JUST AS I DESCRIBED ABOVE! THE ONLT GOOD ADDICT IS A DEAD ADDICT! YOU ARE ALL THE SCUM OF THIS WORLD, YOU SHOULD ALL ROT IN HELL! YOU WASTE TAX PAYERS MONEY BY TRYING TO GET OFF THE DRUGS THEN ARE TOO WEAK TO STAY OFF THEM! WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE YOU????? THE WORLD OWE’S YOU NOTHING SO STOP ACTING LIKE IT DOES!

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

Boring.  Go away little boy.

[Sam]

I had a friend overdose on this drug this morning..I have taken it once before and it didn't do a thing for me but It killed him.
I just thought everyone should know someone died on 8/26/00 because of this drug.. I'm not blaming the drug I know it was his fault but I just thought I would share it with womever cares.

[tw]

Hi,  I've been taking oxycontin for almost 6 years now.  I suffer from chronic pain in my back and neck due to a car accident.  I take it 3x daily.   Recently, when I've tried to extend the length of time I take the medication from 5 to 7 hours I suffered pain in my throat.  It was like swallowing a razor blade. It's been 2 weeks and it has since subsided to the lump when swallowing (I also have acid reflux and I thought this might be acting up).  Anyway, today, for the first time,  I skipped my second dosage of the medication.  The pain is rough, but I hate taking medicine!  Hopefully, my body will adjust.  Let me know how you made out. Thanks

[Ben Davidoff]

Simple Request:

If anyone who is currently taking Adderral and desires to discuss the medicine and its impact on...oh...I don't know...LIFE!, please email me. It would be nice to be able to talk to someone who is experiencing the same things (or at least similar things) that I am right now. I am not addicted to this medicine, but feel that I could relate to someone very much who is. But I'm talking anyone here. I am a 19 year student.

Thanks,

Ben

email: ***@****

[Paul]

This tapering off program is working for thousands : www.oxycontinnightmare.homestead.com

[Linda]

A fall on concrete has created chronic low back and right leg pain.  They say this condition is degenerative, and I hurt all the time, especially when I'm on my feet.  My pain clinic prescribed Oxycontin pills 20mg.  I took one pill about 4 in the afternoon and ITCHED all night.  The same was true of a Duragesic patch. Now what?  Is there another pain med. without the itching side effect that could deaden this miserable nerve pain?  Would like a reply.  Thanks.

[Patrick BRUEL]

Hello
I totally disagree with you,but as far as I am concerned I think  cannabis helps you to feel that gigantic cosmic force and I have a very beautiful garden : it's paradise!!If you want to come to france so you can sample my magical green plants.
  
                      Kisses
                


                           PAT

[Comment By: mikey on Wednesday, October]

Comment By: mikey rochett on Wednesday, October 25, 2000



I have a question couldn't post a new one. i just got a new scrip for 30 percocet and they are blue. I know this sounds like a strange question but i usually get the generic roxicet for the
nee injury's i had about 3 mo's ago. Anyway i didn't ask the
pharmacy about it, because i didn't notice that they were blue
and have a (5) on them. I assume that means 5mg of oxycodone but
im not totaly sure and is there such thing as sustained release
percocet if so im going to take those back. Anyway just wanted to know if this is normal and just name brand vs generic and if
so is there any difference in strenth any info would be helpfull
thanks mikey>